The Screen

[Talic]

For the sake of hiding things the players shouldn't see, yes a DM screen of sorts is good. Usually its just old unused 3.0 edition books

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I use one, but just to screen notes and rolls. I never refer to it. I've taken to using a laptop as well over the past few months, with a downloaded hypertext SRD, PDF's, and an Excel spreadsheet to manage initiative.

 

[Staffan]

I use a screen in order to (a) have common tables accessible, and (b) hide books/notes. I roll in the open, unless it's something the players shouldn't have any clue about, like Spot checks and the like.

 

[DarrenGMiller]

I voted "always" but it should be "most of the time." I used to ALWAYS use one in 1E and in 3E, but now I have gamed without it a few times, as our game is shifting to a more strategy-based game with minis and screenless is easier. I do use it to hide notes, maps, minis, etc.


DM

 

[palleomortis]

Would anyone want to give theirs up?

 

[CZHorse]

I have in the past but I don't anymore. I have my laptop off to the side so I can see the players, and a screen makes it hard for a short guy like me to see the battlemap and my players' faces.

I too use a laptop for my game. All the rolling I do is on the laptop, except for the occational one off roll that I do just to keep them guessing. I also use a screen, but it is more for the charts and tables then to hide dice rolls.

 

[shilsen]

Never. I'm short, I have very few notes and I roll in the open. So there's really no way that a screen can help my DMing style.

 

[LeapingShark]

Always.
There's usually nothing important behind it, I keep my notes on a clipboard which is often in-hand.

But the obfuscation screen is always there.......
Hiding something.......
What?

It's presence presents an extra element of mystery for the players.
It's all about mystery!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I'm always using a GM screen!

 

[Jdvn1]

Always.
There's usually nothing important behind it, I keep my notes on a clipboard which is often in-hand.

But the obfuscation screen is always there.......
Hiding something.......
What?

It's presence presents an extra element of mystery for the players.
It's all about mystery!

Secret Agent GM!